Epoxy-Saturated Protrusion Patch for Void-Free CIPP Liner Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge in using cured-in-place liners for conduit rehabilitation is the creation of voids around protrusions, which compromises the watertightness and structural integrity of the liner, leading to potential detachment and leakage.
Innovation Solution
A patch made of flexible material saturated with epoxy is applied around protrusions before liner installation, filling voids and enhancing the bond between the liner and protrusions, with instruments for precise installation and quality measurement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a cured-in-place liner is installed in a conduit with protrusions, then the liner provides structural reinforcement and sealing, but voids form around the protrusions compromising watertightness and bond strength
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by installing the patch around the protrusion before the liner is pulled into place. The patch is positioned and secured to the protrusion in advance, creating a pre-prepared bonding surface that will eliminate voids when the liner is subsequently installed. This sequential approach ensures the patch is in position to immediately fill voids as the liner makes contact.
Solution Approach 2:
The patch acts as an intermediary element between the protrusion and the liner. It provides a bonding interface that transfers and distributes the bonding forces, ensuring intimate contact between the liner and protrusion while eliminating voids. The patch material serves as a mediator that facilitates strong adhesion and prevents water infiltration at the critical interface zone.
2Strength
If a cured-in-place liner is installed in a conduit with protrusions, then the liner provides structural reinforcement, but the bond strength at protrusion interfaces is compromised due to voids
Solution Approach 1:
The patch is installed and secured to the protrusion before the liner installation process begins. This preliminary positioning ensures that when the liner is pulled into place, the patch is already in position to eliminate voids and provide immediate bonding contact, maximizing bond strength at the critical interface zone.
Solution Approach 2:
The patch comprises multiple layers including a fabric reinforcement layer and bonding adhesive layers, creating a composite structure that combines the tensile strength of fabric with the adhesive properties of the bonding material. This composite construction provides both structural reinforcement and strong bonding capability, ensuring high bond strength between the liner and protrusion while eliminating voids.
3Reliability
If a patch is applied around protrusions before liner installation, then voids are filled and bond strength is enhanced, but the installation process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The installation process is segmented into distinct sequential steps: first installing and securing the patch around each protrusion, then pulling and positioning the liner, and finally curing the bonding adhesive. This segmentation allows each step to be optimized independently and performed by different workers or crews, making the overall complex process more manageable and systematic.
Solution Approach 2:
The patch is designed to be self-adhering through its bonding adhesive layer that activates upon contact with the protrusion surface. Once applied, the patch secures itself to the protrusion without requiring additional fasteners or complex attachment mechanisms, reducing installation complexity while ensuring reliable attachment.
4Reliability
If a patch is applied around protrusions before liner installation, then watertightness is improved, but additional materials and time are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patch is installed and secured to protrusions before the liner installation begins, performing the watertight sealing preparation in advance. This preliminary action ensures that when the liner is pulled into place, the patch is already positioned to eliminate voids, preventing potential water infiltration issues that would require rework and additional time later.
Solution Approach 2:
The bonding adhesive in the patch is designed with specific curing characteristics that allow it to set and provide initial bond strength within a controlled time frame. By optimizing the adhesive parameters (viscosity, open time, cure rate), the patch can be quickly applied and secured, minimizing the time addition while ensuring reliable watertight sealing.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The patch ensures a strong, watertight seal and structural integrity by filling voids and bonding with the liner, extending the lifespan of rehabilitated conduits and meeting quality metrics.
Implementation Method 1
a patch made of flexible material saturated with epoxy
Implementation Method 2
enhancing the bond between the liner and protrusions
Data Source
AI summary
A patch is provided and described that can be used with the installation of a cured-in-place structural liner in a conduit when the conduit has protrusions into the conduit. The patch is made with similar material to the liner, or felt, and is impregnated with epoxy. The patch may be shaped to more closely match the anticipated curve of the outer surface of the liner. Tools for the installation of the patches, a method of use, and tools for measuring the quality of the installation of the patch before the installation of the structural liner, are also described.